StrangersAshley Heights

church of Christ

How Do We Treat Strangers

• Outside – Away from this Building

• Inside – Inside this Building

Stranger Danger!!

• Awareness program - avoid strangers• June 2005 – Boy Scout evaded searchers– afraid rescuers "would steal him“

• Criticism – wrong focus– Missing Kids per year – 800,000– Missing Kids – classic stranger abduction – 115

“Strangers” typically are not the problem

What the Bible Says• Deut 10:11-20 And the LORD said to me, 'Arise, go on your journey at

the head of the people, so that they may go in and possess the land, which I swore to their fathers to give them.' (12) "And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require of you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, (13) and to keep the commandments and statutes of the LORD, which I am commanding you today for your good? (14) Behold, to the LORD your God belong heaven and the heaven of heavens, the earth with all that is in it. (15) Yet the LORD set his heart in love on your fathers and chose their offspring after them, you above all peoples, as you are this day. (16) Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no longer stubborn. (17) For the LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God, who is not partial and takes no bribe. (18) He executes justice for the fatherless and the widow, and loves the sojourner, giving him food and clothing. (19) Love the sojourner, therefore, for you were sojourners in the land of Egypt. (20) You shall fear the LORD your God. You shall serve him and hold fast to him, and by his name you shall swear.

What the Bible Says

• Lev 19:34 You shall treat the stranger who sojourns with you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God.

What the Bible Says

• Heb 13:1-2 Let brotherly love continue. (2) Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.

What the Bible Says• Matt 25:34-46 Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed

by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. (35) For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, (36) I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.' (37) Then the righteous will answer him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? (38) And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? (39) And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?' (40) And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.' (41) "Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. (42) For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, (43) I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.' (44) Then they also will answer, saying, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?' (45) Then he will answer them, saying, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.' (46) And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."

Why Should We?

• Strangers May…– Be Spiritually Lost/Need Help– Looking for a Congregation

• Its About Loving/Saving the Lost– Contacting/Connect with People is Vital– A Major Catalyst in Spreading the Gospel

• It May Be God’s Plan – Cooperate!– God Can Send Us to Them– God Can Send Them To Us

• Requirement (Matt 25)

How Will We Respond At Judgment?

Why Would We Not?

• Not Alert• Excuses prompted by Fear…– “They don’t need to talk with me”– “They’re not here to see me”– “I cannot help them”– “I don’t know what to say”– “I’m too nervous”– “I'm an Introvert”

• Not Loving/Caring for their Soul

How Will You Treat Strangers?

• Mat 25:43 I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, ...

…• Mat 25:46 And these will go away

into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."

How?

• Realize: – You are doing the Lord’s will– Be confident

• Be Sincere• Keep it Simple– Hi!– Smile– Extend your hand

It’s About the Contact!

Make the Connection!